[Hildy]

Oh Gosh. To each his own...but in my opinion, think this is ridiculous.

[boycott]

They must really enjoy sex.

[Graybeard58]

Great story, especially because I didn't see anything in it where the tax payers had to pay for any part of it.

[Mo1]

"We heard a long time ago that it if you play a violin, it helps you work on the left side of the brain," explains Michelle. "Sometimes, there are eight lessons going on at the same time. And you just kind of have to block it out."

eight lessons going on at the same time???

I barely survived when my ONE daughter took up flute lessons ... and was thrilled when she decided to quit

God Bless this family

[cgk]

Did you happen to note the irony of posting this article, considering your FR handle? ;)

[projectile]

Jim Bob Duggar for U.S. Senate - Biography

Jim Bob was born and raised in Springdale, Arkansas. He attended Springdale Public Schools and graduated from Shiloh Christian School in 1983. At age 18, he obtained his Real Estate License to became a fourth generation Realtor in the Duggar family. Jim Bob married his best friend and high school sweetheart, Michelle Ruark in 1984. They have been happily married for 17 years. He and his wife worked diligently and started their small business in Springdale, which they owned and operated for 12 years. Together they conduct Financial Freedom Seminars encouraging debt-free living and have become successful commercial real estate investors. They have thirteen children, whom they consider precious gifts! He is a member and deacon of Bible Grace Fellowship Church.

Duggar’s public service began in 1998 with his election to the Arkansas House of Representatives where he has served two consecutive two year terms. He is a two-term member of the House Judiciary Committee and currently serves as Vice-Chair of Corrections and Criminal Law Sub-Committee and is a member of the Insurance and Commerce Committee.

While in the House, Jim Bob had a good working relationship with fellow legislators, yet, he was willing to stand alone when it was best for those he served. He was an outspoken critic of Electric Deregulation and one of two in the entire House and Senate that voted against it. Duggar fought for tax relief by authoring a bill to decrease used car sales tax and a bill to eliminate property taxes on your home. He was the author of the Internet Filter Bill that Governor Huckabee signed into law, protecting our public school students from pornography.

Duggar believes in strengthening families, eliminating government waste, and allowing tax payers to keep more of what they earn. He encourages small business development and growth. Jim Bob is a member of the National Rifle Association and supports the right to bear arms. He believes in a strong national defense, and in honoring our veterans. He will continue to be an advocate for senior citizens, the disabled and the unborn.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Damn. I can't criticize because they are doing the right thing. But 15 kids? I'm counting on the one that hasn't been born yet.

I am just sitting here contemplating this.

[countyourblessings]

I had the privilage of meeting the Duggars at our family reunion last summer. The children are well behaved and polite. They are a wonderful family. I agree that if we had more husbands and wives willing to have large families that we could turn our nation around.

[ToKillaMockingbird]

More power to them.

[Flyer]

Maybe the Duggar's could give these folks a few lessons.

[Diddle E. Squat]

All of their names start with the letter "J," and number 15 is due this month.

I guess "Justsayno" isn't a name under consideration for #15?

[k2blader]

The Duggars are a very religious, Southern Baptist family.

And homeschooling to boot! God bless them all.

[Squantos]

Wow........! This lady is pioneer stock !

[kcvl]

Michelle Duggar, shown with some of her family, is honored by Gov. Huckabee, right.

For the past two years the family has been building their own home in Tontitown, just seven miles from where they now live in northwest Arkansas.

"Our house is like a giant Cracker Barrel," Michelle Duggar said. "It's got this huge porch it goes on forever. We may get lost in the middle of it all."

The 7,000-square-foot family project will have 10 bathrooms, master and guest bedrooms, a laundry room with four washers and eight dryers and two dormitory-style bedrooms, one for the boys and one for the girls. Those rooms will have bunk beds, Jim Bob Duggar said, easily added for any new children.

"We've done the work from the foundation up," he said. "We're building it debt- free. We're doing it as we can afford it."

There will be two closets on either side of the laundry, one with boys clothes and one with things for the girls. The children put on whatever clothing fits.

This weekend, Duggar, a real estate businessman, plans to put up the siding and windows with some of his sons. They hope to move in this summer.

Wednesday, the brood drove down from Springdale in the family bus to watch mom receive her award from Gov. Mike Huckabee. The girls and their mother dressed in matching red and blue plaid jumpers. The boys each wore the same navy blue suit with a red bow tie, their hair neatly combed to the side.

When the family approached Huckabee, the governor bent down to shake each child's hand, repeating the names they shyly whispered to him.

"You guys are amazing. You really are," Huckabee told the family.

The couple married when Jim Bob was 19 and Michelle was 17 and had no children for the first four years they were together.

"We're letting the Lord give us the gifts that he wants to give us and I'm open to more gifts," she said. "I'll take them one at a time or two at a time."

[border bud]

Catching up on my reading, and came across your posting of the Duggar family. My great-grandfather's family, and my grandfather's family were 13 each, but they pale by comparison to this modern family, who sound happy and well-adjusted. God bless them. Every day must be a wonderful adventure for them.

[RosieCotton]

My best friend is the youngest of 15 - all single births. They're all still faithful Catholics, many with large families of their own, and some of the most wonderful people I've ever known. Says a lot about how incredible their parents are!

"Only" eight in my family. ;-)

I'd like to have a big family, but haven't found the right guy yet.

[MasonGal]

I only have 3 - all sons - ages 21, 17, and 12. Of course - the 21 year old is now a junior in college. But I did homeschool him since the 4th grade. My 17-year old is a junior in high school. He takes several classes outside the home. The 12-year old also takes a few classes outside the home. They are all involved in many things such as orchestra, baseball, tennis, Catholic Youth Group, Right to Life, scouting, etc.

I would have loved to have had more children, but I guess God had other plans.

I have a very good friend who has 10 children - ranging in ages from 26 - 2. (7 daughters, 3 sons) She homeschooled them all since the 26-year old was 9. They are rather wealthy - but she didn't have any help, as far as a housekeeper or anything like that. She even sewed some of the girls clothes. What a terrific family!! Very devout Catholics and extremely bright, social, well-adjusted children, if you will.

Just my .02 worth....

[HungarianGypsy]

To think I'm exhausted with four children. My hat's off to this lady.

[yarddog]

I used to know a federal leo who was catholic and had 14 children. They were a great bunch and I used to think that he was improving the world by a large extent with his progeny.

One of his daughters used to baby sit for us and she was cute as a speckled pup. Also a star athlete.

My Mother was one of 13 children. They grew up on a large (over 1000 acres) farm and the children were really an asset. They all worked from about age 5 on. I was always impressed at just how affectionate they were to each other despite having so many siblings. I guess it might have been from being Scottish and being clannish to some extent.

[Saundra Duffy]

More power to 'em.